Latest news with #SwanseaArena
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Athlete dies after 'getting into difficulty' during Ironman race
An athlete has tragically passed away following their participation in the Swansea Ironman 70.3. The event, which took place on Sunday, saw the athlete "in difficulty" during the swim section of the race. Medical teams responded promptly when the athlete was spotted struggling in the water; however, despite being rushed to hospital, the individual sadly lost their life on Wednesday. In a statement, even organisers said: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of an athlete who competed in last weekend's IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon. "Approximately half-way into the swim portion of the race, swim safety personnel noticed and responded to an athlete in difficulty. "The athlete received immediate medical care while being taken via boat to a designated extraction point on the harbour, where further treatment was administered. "The athlete was then transported to the hospital where they continued to receive treatment, but sadly passed today." "Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the athlete. "We will continue to offer them our support and keep them in our thoughts as they go through this challenging time. "We are deeply grateful to the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance." The demanding triathlon sees thousands yearly tackle a daunting 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim in Prince of Wales Dock before undertaking a 56-mile (90km) single-loop cycle ride, reports Wales Online. The cycling course guides competitors through Mumbles and along the coastal cliffs of Gower, before venturing into rural Swansea and then back along Swansea Bay into the city. They then make their way back to Swansea, readying for transition in the Maritime Quarter adjacent to the River Tawe. Lastly, participants face a 13.1-mile (21.1km) two-loop run course that takes them from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles and then back to the finish line at the marina.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Tragedy as athlete dies after ‘getting into difficulty' while swimming during ‘Ironman' race
They began to struggle during the swimming section RACE HORROR Tragedy as athlete dies after 'getting into difficulty' while swimming during 'Ironman' race Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN IRONMAN athlete has tragically died after competing in Wales. The athlete began experiencing "difficulty" during the swimming section of the triathlon in Swansea Ironman 70.3. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The competitor - who has not been named - received immediate medical care and rushed to hospital. But they tragically died on Wednesday, event organisers have since confirmed. A statement from Ironman Wales read: "It is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of an athlete who competed in last weekend's IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea triathlon. "Approximately half-way into the swim portion of the race, swim safety personnel noticed and responded to an athlete in difficulty. "The athlete received immediate medical care while being taken via boat to a designated extraction point on the harbour, where further treatment was administered. "The athlete was then transported to the hospital where they continued to receive treatment, but sadly passed today. "Our deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the athlete. "We will continue to offer them our support and keep them in our thoughts as they go through this challenging time. "We are deeply grateful to the swim safety personnel and first responders who worked quickly to provide the athlete with medical assistance." Each year, thousands take part in the Welsh triathlon, but this was the UK's first ever Ironman Pro Series event. Competitors start by completing a 1.2-mile swim at the Prince of Wales Dock, followed by a 56-mile bike ride through Mumbles and along the coastal clifftops of Gower, before heading out into rural Swansea and then back along Swansea Bay into the city. They then return to Swansea, preparing for transition in the Maritime Quarter next to the River Tawe. Competitors then tackle a 13.1-mile two-loop run course that leads them from the city centre, past Swansea Arena, towards Mumbles and then back to the finish line at the marina
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Meet the Buyers Expo Series Returns – Unlocking £36.1bn in Business Opportunities Across Wales
Following the overwhelming success of last year's events, the Business Wales Meet the Buyers Expo series returns for another year. Designed to support and strengthen the Foundational Economy in Wales, the Expo connects Welsh suppliers with buyers across public and private sectors to unlock billions of pounds in procurement opportunities. The Expos will be taking place on 10th September at Swansea Arena, and Venue Cymru, Llandudno on 16th October. Both events will be taking place between 9:00am – 2.30pm. This year's events are set to be even more impactful, underlining the Welsh Government's ongoing commitment to the Foundational Economy, supporting local businesses, building sustainable supply chains that benefit communities across Wales. In 2024, the Meet the Buyers series brought together over 1,000 attendees across two events in Swansea and Llandudno, 110 exhibitors, and 872 live contract opportunities. Exhibitors last year included Transport for Wales, NHS Shared Services Partnership, Natural Resources Wales, Crown Commercial Service, Swansea Council, DVLA, and leading construction firms such as Wynne Construction, Morganstone, and Morgan Sindall. These events also featured crucial support organisations like Business Wales, Constructing Excellence Wales, Development Bank of Wales, and Social Business Wales, offering advice and resources to help local businesses scale, innovate, and compete for major contracts. The upcoming Meet the Buyers Expo series promises even greater opportunity for Welsh businesses to engage with buyers, understand future pipelines, and position themselves as competitive suppliers. With a strategic focus on sustainability, regional investment, and inclusive economic growth that delivers greater social value, the 2025 events will continue to shape the future of procurement in Wales. Each event will also feature a dedicated Support Zone, providing essential guidance and resources. This zone offers attendees the chance to learn effective strategies for finding, bidding, and securing contracts and tenders with major buyers, gain invaluable insights to overcome barriers, and access live opportunities. The aim is to dispel the myth that large organisations only work with big suppliers and ensure that businesses leave the events equipped with the knowledge and resources they need to succeed. Attendance at the Expo is free, and registration can be booked via: The Business Wales Meet the Buyers Expos are presented by the Foundational Economy team and Business Wales, and fully funded by the Welsh Government.
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The transformation of Swansea over the years and a look at what is still to come
The transformation of Swansea over the years and a look at what is still to come We've compiled a list of developments across Swansea that have already been delivered, and what comes next Swansea will look very different in the future, and some of it has already begun to take shape (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) The figure £1bn is one that has found its place in news, in the council, on the roads, and several promises by the Swansea Council Leader, Rob Stewart. But what is it actually about? According to the Swansea Council this is the total amount of money that is being invested in the city as the part of a massive 'regeneration' drive by the local authority aimed to transform it. Over the years, we have seen several projects by Swansea Council that have already begun to reshape Swansea into something different. Some of this sum has already been spent and though there have been some delays in some projects, there are several that have already been completed and several more currently being undertaken. So where is this money being spent, and who is funding it? We asked Swansea Council exactly this, and have compiled a list of key projects that have been completed, and others that are currently ongoing. Although this is not an exhaustive list, and does not cover some of the projects still being planned, we hope it paints a picture of what has changed in Swansea over the years and what is still to come. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here Copr Bay district The Swansea Arena was opened with full pomp and show in 2022 (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Article continues below The Swansea Arena was built as part of the £135m Copr Bay District project, and opened in March 2022 after five long years of hard work. The arena was built by the Swansea Council and forms part of the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District project which is partly funded by the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal. The Copr Bay District project gave birth to adjacent coastal park, car park below, the golden pedestrian bridge across Oystermouth Road, and flats and commercial units opposite. The £135m cost of the project necessitated £96m of council borrowing that was done a low interest rate. This is supposed to be paid back over the course of 40 years, with total borrowing costs amounting to just under £175m. For the project, part of the funding is also coming from the sale of the flats, a Welsh Government loan, and a contribution via the city deal for the Swansea Bay City Region. Since its opening in 2022, the Swansea Arena has attracted more than 750,000 visitors to events like graduations, conferences and creative learning events. It has also attracted major stars like Johnny Depp, and Alice Cooper with The Hollywood Vampires, Gladys Knight and Michael McIntyre. The unfinished multi-storey car park remains a blot on the project (Image: Richard Youle ) Now, the not so good part. Though a major part of the Copr Bay District project has been built, the multi storey car park for the Swansea Arena that was supposed to open close around the same time as the arena, has not opened for years. Initially, the Buckingham Group was selected as the contractor for the project. However, the car park's completion was already being delayed due to problems with the paintwork coating system , and this was further complicated when the Buckingham Group went into administration . Though there is hope. With a new firm being appointed to complete the car park in 2024, the council has recently said that it expects the work to be completed by the end of this year. The Palace theatre building Though it doesn't look much different from the outside, the interior has been completely transformed (Image: Richard Youle ) The rejuvenation of the Palace Theatre, a Grade II listed building located on the Prince of Wales Road in Swansea was one of the flagship projects in the £1bn regeneration program for Swansea. The regeneration project was led and funded by the Swansea council with an investment of over £6.9m from the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns initiative. The palace was left to its fate until Swansea Council acquired it and began its extensive transformation process. The improved exterior does not look much different, as it stays true to its original 1888 roots. However, its interior, which spans over six floors and a basement, has now been revamped. While the council is still the owner of the building, it is now operated by Tramshed Tech which offers flexible work space, business growth programmes, and skills and training for the creative, digital and technology sectors. Restoration of Albert Hall The restored Albert Hall was opened in September last year (Image: Richard Youle ) In September last year, another Grade II listed, the Albert Hall located between The Kingsway and De-La-Beche Street was opened after an extensive restoration project. The hall was originally opened as a public assembly hall and concert venue in 1864. After it closed its doors in 2007 as a cinema and bingo hall — its future looked pretty bleak, not much different than the Palace Theatre before its restoration. Then came the company, LoftCo who not only secured a planning permission from the city council, but also a £5.6m Welsh Government grant, so it could buy and restore the site. In total, the project is expected to have cost close to £9m. The current layout can house 450 people on its ground floor and an additional 100 people on its private entertainment areas above it. The venue boasts of four storeys with a ground-floor food hall and bar, with private entertainment space, offices, studios, visitor accommodation, a gym, and a rooftop garden above. The Princess Quarter The glass fronted building is hard to miss (Image: Gareth Danks Photography ) Kartay has recently completed the construction of a a multi-million pound office and commercial project called Princess Quarter, on Princess Way at the site of the former Mamma Mia restaurant. The building is a three storey glass fronted monument that boasts of a 15,000 square feet of office space and offers adaptable retail units on the ground floor. It features a ground-floor reception which has 'luxury communal seating' , alongside concierge service, shower, changing facilities, vanity areas, and secure cycle storage to the rear. Kartay is a development, investment and asset management company, that was set up in 2019. It has since purchased nine 'key buildings" in Swansea's main redevelopment zones. Apart from the Princess Quarter project, the company is also leading the development of Princess House, which is a 10-storey office building in city centre at 1 Oxford Street, a five-storey commercial building that is currently home to McDonalds. It also plans to offer high quality apartments on the upper floors, and retail units at 256 to 260 Oxford Street. Regeneration of Wind Street The changes made in the city are part of a regeneration scheme worth over £1bn (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) The Swansea Council has led a £3m project to improve the city's iconic Wind Street. This included new paving, seating, seating, greenery, and dedicated outdoor spaces for the hospitality dining areas. The Amy Dillwyn Park This was the first park in the city centre over several generations, and features a one of the largest green roofs in Wales. Developed by Swansea Council, it was renamed after the Victorian novelist and philanthropist, Amy Dillwyn in March 2024 to mark the International Women's Day. Upgrade to Kingsway to improve its look and feel A sum of £12m was put in by the Swansea Council to improve the 'look and feel' for the city's Kingsway, and its neighbouring streets. The council has expected that the new improvements will bring footfall to encourage new business while supporting existing traders. Council leader Rob Stewart has said that the local authority aims to turn Swansea into one of UK's greenest cities and that this project reflects the council's commitment to do so. Bollards along the Mumbles promenade More than 300 'energy efficient LED lighting bollards' have been installed along the length of the bay. The route is popular among walkers and cyclists who use it frequently in the evenings. Coming through an £400,000 Swansea Council investment, the low-level bollards have been installed every 14 metres along the length of the promenade and are expected to cost just £15 per year to light up. The Innovation Matrix Based at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) SA1 campus, this project is now open, and offers 'opportunities for established businesses and dynamic start-ups to accelerate new product development, access specialist technical support, hire graduate talent and create knowledge exchange partnerships with the university.' The centre is funded through a partnership between the UWTSD and the Swansea Bay City deal. It was built by Kier Construction which has secured £6m worth of contracts with Wales-based businesses during the construction process. Following are some of the ongoing projects in Swansea: 71/72 Kingsway Scheme The posh new office development already has two tenants (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) The council bought the former Oceana building which was located at 71/72 Kingsway in 2015. This purchase was meant to deliver the employment hub proposal that were put forth in Swansea Central Area Regeneration Framework (SCARF). The project was submitted as a part of the wider Digital Programme to Swansea Bay City Deal, and was successful in obtaining £13.71m in City Deal Funding. The revamped building has now been handed over to Swansea Council, and is set to open this summer. First tenants have already been announced for building, with Travel company TUI and workspace provider IWG Ltd set to occupy just over a quarter of the building. The Biophillic Building The building is slated to be constructed later this year (Image: Hacer Developments ) This project aims to give birth to a 13-storey-high building between the city's The Kingsway and Oxford Street. The construction of the tower is being led by the Swansea-based firm, Hacer Devopments. To be powered by solar energy and said to use a 'air source heat system', the building is touted to use five times less energy than a building which is powered by gas boilers. The funding for this scheme is coming from a mixture of private sector funding with money from Welsh Government's Innovative Housing Programme, Pobl and the Development Bank of Wales footing part of the bill. It will include an urban-style greenhouse set over four floors, an education facility featuring an aquaponic system, rooftop gardens, wildflower borders and green spaces, nine floors of apartments to be managed by Pobl, close to 32,000 square feet of commercial floor space for businesses, retail spaces, a landscaped courtyard, and a bio-solar roof with ambient loop heating, and sustainable drainage systems. Swansea Council has said that this building will have the capacity to accommodate more than 500 people once complete, and expects the development to create jobs and home. The project is due to be completed later this year, and latest pictures show the mammoth tower to have spectacular views at the top. Y Storfa community services hub Progress continues to be made at the new community hub (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) This project will be built on the former BHS units on Oxford Street, and aims to provide a multi-purpose hub for the people of Swansea. The Welsh government provided a £2m grant towards the project and an additional £3.5m was also made available to Swansea Council to develop this project into a public focal point. Though the council had hoped that the project could be completed as soon as 2023, the scheme is due for completion this year. Council-run services like Swansea Library, the West Glamorgan Archive Service, Housing Options, lifelong learning, and the Contact Centre will calling the new community hub their home. Non-council tenants are set to include Careers Wales, Citizens Advice and Swansea University's South Wales Miners' Library. Redevelopment of the former JT Morgan building on Belle Vue Way The project is being given funding support by the Welsh Government (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) Under the initiative led by Elysium Gallery, the vacant JT Morgan building on Belle Vue Way - which has been unoccupied since 2008 - is set to become a hub for 53 creative entrepreneurs. The space will provide studios for painters, illustrators, sculptors, designers, printmakers, photographers, actors and video editors. The project will also feature a gallery, a function suite, a dedicated education centre and a quiet room. Funding coming from the Swansea Council via the UK Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund is contributing towards the internal works and strip out, as well as enhancements to the roof structure. The project has also received financial support from the Welsh Government through its Transforming Towns scheme. Additional funding has been secured from the Arts Council of Wales, the Architectural Heritage Fund and a community shares initiative. The first phase of work is anticipated to be completed this summer. Restoration of the Hafod-Morfa Copperworks How the Vivian and Musgrave Engine Houses could look like in the future (Image: South Wales Evening Post ) Swansea Council has approved the plans restore two engine houses at the former Hafod-Morfa Copperworks site. The project would see a new mezzanine and first floor being built at the Vivian engine house which is expected to be by occupied by tenants. The Musgrave engine house, which is next to Vivian engine house, will be turned into a exhibition area that will display the original engine. Additionally, a new building joining both the engine houses will also be built. The council, and the people behind the planning application say the new buildings will be available for a number uses like restaurants, cafe, exhibition space and retail. The funding for this project is being done through a mixture of Swansea Council funding, and Welsh Government funding via the levelling-up scheme. The council has successfully bid for £20m of UK Government funding for this project. Restoration of Castle Cinema How the Castle Square development could look like (Image: Swansea Council ) Council says work to restore the city's historic Castle Cinema building is going to start soon. The project is being spearheaded by local non-profit Beacon Cymru and contractors Easy Living Ltd. Plans for the project includes 30 new flats and fresh commercial spaces. The commercial units will occupy the lower part of the building facing the Strand, designed to house small-scale office operations. A two-storey commercial unit is planned on the main elevation overlooking Worcester Place and the castle, intended for café or restaurant use. A proposed glazed box, forming part of this unit, will offer views of the castle and open space. The project is being supported by the Swansea Council, via Welsh Government funding. The Castle Square revamp Work has now started on the council's plan to transform the Castle Square in Swansea. The transformation will see the addition of two pavilion buildings for food, drink or retail businesses; an increase in greenery including new lawns, ornamental and biodiverse planting to provide an area with 40% green space. A new interactive water feature will also be included, along with new outdoor seating areas and a giant TV screen above a bandstand-style facility. Preparatory work has already been undertaken at the site, including the re-laying of high-voltage cables to accommodate the square's future design, a project that has seen significant public engagement. The Leaf Boat sculpture, a distinguishing sight the Castle Square is also being removed in the next phase of the project. This piece will be safely stored while the council, in consultation with various parties including the sculptor, determines a new location for the artwork within Swansea. The project, which is expected to be completed by the end of next year, is being funded by Swansea Council with support from the Welsh Government. The Mumbles Coastal Defence Project It is due for completion this summer (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) This ambitious, multi-million pound project aims to replace the existing worn down seawall which was atleast over a hundred years old and had been showing cracks from years of wear and tear. This expansive civil engineering project is being undertaken with the objective of protecting businesses, organisations, attractions, events, and several homes against rising sea levels caused by climate change. The Welsh Government's claim is that the new seawall will protect the Mumbles coast for the next 100 years. The £26.5m project is primarily funded by the Welsh Government, managed by Swansea Council, and is being delivered by Knights Brown as the main contractor. However, Swansea Council is footing the bill for nearly 15% of the project, with the Welsh government also providing the local authority with the development costs associated with this scheme, amounting to £1.9m. It began in early 2023 and nearly 110 workers from Knights Brown have been working tirelessly on the project since. It is expected to be completed by summer this year. Digital infrastructure project In an effort to alleviate network congestion, small cell sites have been deployed to enhance network capacity as required, with the objective that people will be able to use their mobiles for calls, messaging or internet access during peak times in the city centre, such as during the Christmas parade and the Wales Airshow. This initiative, a collaboration between Swansea Council, Freshwave, and Virgin Media O2, is part of a larger regional digital infrastructure project costing £55m, which is partly being funded by the Swansea Bay City deal. Council says that the project has been spearheaded by the its digital champions, who have worked in close coordination with Freshwave, Virgin Media O2, and other council departments to minimise disruption for businesses and visitors to the city centre during the implementation phase. Article continues below Other Developments Student accommodation projects, such as the £22m Coppergate scheme on The Kingsway and the £65m Seren scheme on Mariner Street. A new market garden is in the works, courtesy of a £500,000 council investment in the market that will also enhance its entrances. An £11.4m placemaking grants investment is set to create new homes and boost commercial premises in the city centre. This funding comprises private contributions and £7m from the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns scheme.
Wales Online
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Jason Donovan talks Wales, The Rocky Horror Show, In It Together and his one man show Doin' Fine
Jason Donovan talks Wales, The Rocky Horror Show, In It Together and his one man show Doin' Fine The Australian entertainer will visit south Wales three times in the next year to showcase his 35-year career in music, theatre, TV and film Jason Donovan will be performing in Swansea Bay three times within the next year (Image: David Freeman ) Jason Donovan will be something of a regular in south Wales in the coming year. The beloved Australian entertainer, who shot to fame alongside Kylie Minogue on Neighbours, has gone on to be a household name, selling more than three million records in the UK. And despite reaching a 35 year career in music, theatre, TV and film, the 56-year-old is proving that he isn't slowing down yet, with three shows lined up in Swansea Bay showcasing his diverse talents. First, he will take to the stage on the Sunday billing of In It Together Festival at Old Park Farm in Margam on May 25, performing alongside the likes of Ronan Keating and James Morrison. And just weeks later, he will return to perform at Swansea Arena, in Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show, as part of a new world tour. He will reprise his iconic role as Frank-n-Furter, following a sold-out Australian Tour in 2024. The Swansea show takes place from Monday, June 9 to Saturday, June 14, with Donovan performing from Wednesday June 11 to Saturday June 14, and Adam Strong taking on the role on the other nights. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Article continues below And not content with just one visit to the city, he will be back at Swansea Grand Theatre on March 17 next year, with his Doin' Fine 25 tour, which is a celebration of his career, taking fans on a journey through his life on both stage and screen, including performances of his hits Especially For You, Too Many Broken Hearts, Any Dream Will Do and Sealed With A Kiss. Ahead of his string of performances in, WalesOnline caught up with the entertainer. Jason Donovan On... The Rocky Horror Show Jason Donovan in the Rocky Horror Show (Image: Photo by David Freeman ) He said: "I love the show. I say to everyone, and I don't get bored of saying it, I get to be a rock star every night, what's not to love? "Rocky Horror is not a Les Miserables or a Joseph, or a Phantom of the Opera, or a Sweeney Todd, but it is a part of pop culture and I love it for its enduring qualities and its complexities, it's an authentic piece, and there's a lot of people who can relate to Frank's dark journey, but there's also a lot of light. "Richard O'Brien writes some great songs - there's a femininity, a masculinity, it's not caught in one time, and it's a twist on everything." Pictured with the cast of The Rocky Horror Show (Image: Photo by David Freeman ) He added: "I love playing that character. I think it's well-written. It's a short show as well which I love, I'm into the idea of that. "Going to work each day is not a chore, it's a labour of love. "I think the show is great entertainment, it has such audience participation, and it's not just an evening at the theatre, it's an event. And with me steering the ship, and I'll say this because I can, it's going to go off. I put 100 percent into that character, I do something different every night, I like to be creative with it." Jason Donovan on... In It Together He said: "The company behind the event is always a very high grade. I hope I can live up to that, I'm sure I can. I think that will be a short little set of songs that we put together for those shows. In those sort of shows, you don't have a lot of time to really be creative, you want to hit the audience with the songs that they know, and that's what I intend to do." Jason Donovan on... Doin' Fine He said: "The show has caught the imagination of people. It's the first real tour of mine where I feel we've struck the right chord between all the shows on my catalogue, even some covers with my dad. "I look back a lot at my career, but I don't stand still. I'm always working, and I like to keep busy. I like to work with people and different casts and productions. The good thing is, I can jump from a Rocky Horror to my own show, and I get to do a broad range of different stuff, and I am not stuck in one genre." Jason Donovan on... Wales He said: "I have spent time in Wales in the past, not a lot of time in Swansea, but I am excited to be bringing the shows there. The last time, I think I was bringing my Midlife Crisis show to Swansea, which was my autobiographical show, but I guess the last time I was in that part of the world doing a show was probably Rocky Horror again, actually. "In Cardiff I did Joseph recently, I did Rocky recently in Cardiff, and Doin Fine, that was actually on Valentine's Day. "The country is great, the people are great, and I can't wait to get back there and perform again. "I am looking forward to performing at Swansea Arena. I hear it's big. I think the show (Rocky Horror) is a rock show, a concert with words. It's got that tone to it. "I know the coastline in Wales is pretty special. I'm always into exploring the coastline. I think it's the right time of year to do that. "I love coming to Wales. I love all the audiences across the UK. "I'm looking forward to seeing my Welsh friends for a few great shows and we'll see you in the summer." Article continues below Ticket information for Jason's In It Together Festival performance can be found by clicking here. For more on the Rocky Horror Show, click here, and you can find out more about his Doin' Fine tour by clicking here.
